This week our community was rocked by the death of two teenagers from Austin High School. Three kids went on a high-speed joy ride through a residential area close to Zilker Park - and the ride ended up with no joy at all. The driver lost control and her car smashed into a tree, literally shearing it in half. The driver and another passenger were killed, one young man somehow survived. A neighbor’s surveillance camera caught the entire incident on video, and the speed at which they were traveling was unbelievable. Some sources say the tape shows local elementary school children crossing the street, returning to school after a field trip, just minutes before.

That street is the same street our running group takes to get to one of our favorite hill workouts, we pass by there all the time. We will never pass by casually again.

Recently a good friend sent me an email titled “Bank Account.” It said to imagine that you had a special bank account whereby every morning someone mysteriously deposited $86,400. The stipulations are that you use the entire amount each day, because the remainder would not be credited to you at midnight. You yourself must use the money. The account can close at any time without warning.

What would you do with an account like that?

Probably spend every penny of it, taking full advantage of fulfilling every dream you ever had, and blessing everyone you knew – even strangers too. I mean, why not, right? You get another deposit the following day, may as well be a “big spender.”

It went on to say that every single one of us has a bank account just like that.

Every morning we wake up with 86,400 seconds to spend. Far more precious than dollars.

If we don’t spend it all or spend it well, it is not credited back to us. When the day ends, it’s done forever. Tomorrow we wake up and get a new time deposit. But on a certain day, without warning, our account closes and our time is up.

I mulled this one over on some miles this week. The message went even deeper when I learned about the car wreck and the young lives suddenly lost. Rushing has risks. Carelessness has consequences. It’s easy to check out right now. Everyone probably gets a touch of spring fever. I can see it in my children as their motivation slumps under heavy backpacks, longing for summer and a respite from schedules. I see it in myself, working in my office and taking more breaks to surf travel sites on the Internet. The final weeks of school are upon us, the weather is beautiful, and diligence starts to lose its appeal.

The thought of 86,400 helps me check back in. I want to be a “big spender” when it comes to my time deposit. I want to be mindful, encouraging, present, and positive. I want to be engaged – in my purpose and in my people. I want my head to hit the pillow at night spent and content, knowing that I have used my daily allotment well.

Whether I am in a meeting, working on an essay or manuscript, driving my kids around, teaching a class, walking my dogs, helping with homework, spending time with my friends and family, on my yoga mat, or running 800’s at the track – I want to fully be wherever I am. I want to be so rooted in the now that I can release my obsession with next.